A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urging the immediate disbursement of $600 million in military assistance allocated for Ukraine and the Baltic nations. The senators expressed frustration over delays from the Pentagon.
Of the total funds, $400 million is designated for Ukraine, while the remaining $200 million is intended for defense programs in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Congress approved this funding last year. The letter was signed by Senators Dick Durbin (D), Chuck Grassley (R), Kevin Cramer (R), Thom Tillis (R), Michael Bennet (D), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D).
“Ukraine is steadfastly and bravely resisting a four-year Russian offensive, but its army requires and deserves continued American support,” Durbin and Grassley stated in their joint letter.
During a congressional hearing over three weeks ago, Hegseth indicated that funding for Ukraine was “unblocked” and that a spending plan would soon be sent to lawmakers. However, the Pentagon failed to meet the promised deadline of May 15.
“Any further delays—especially amid reports of the Defense Department’s plans to withdraw American troops from the region—undermine our ability to deter Russia,” the senators asserted.
This letter reflects growing dissatisfaction among Republican senators, particularly following a week in which President Donald Trump endorsed a challenger to Texas Senator John Cornyn, angering many within the party. In a public exchange on social media, Senator Tillis criticized the president’s advisors for various policies he believes are detrimental to the Republican Party, including the dismissal of top generals and the reluctance to hold Putin accountable for crimes against Ukrainian civilians.
Several Republicans have also voiced their disagreement with Hegseth’s recent decision to relieve Army Chief of Staff General Randy George, who had been working on restructuring combat strategies to incorporate drone usage and had collaborated with Ukrainian forces to share their experiences.
A proposed Democratic bill aimed at imposing extensive sanctions on Russia and providing an additional $1 billion in military aid to Ukraine is gaining traction in the House of Representatives. While this package is unlikely to become law, it energizes legislative efforts to support Ukraine.
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has called for the immediate release of $600 million in military aid for Ukraine and the Baltic states, expressing dissatisfaction with Pentagon delays. The funding, approved last year, includes $400 million for Ukraine and $200 million for Baltic defense programs.
Source: Associated Press